Since the 1980s there has been talk about caseless ammunition and the weapons that could fire it.
Heckler & Koch even developed a prototype rifle called the G11 which used 4.73 caliber caseless ammunition.
The argument for caseless ammo was that it weighed about 50% less than comparable cartridges.
In addition, it only took up about 70% of the space as traditional rounds.
Plus, the caseless design could dispense with the extraction and ejection process which is one of the biggest causes of malfunctions in traditional firearms.
And, with caseless ammo, the gun’s action could remain closed which is one less area for a malfunction to occur.
Lastly, with no spent casing there is no brass to get in the way or clean up after shooting.
Of course, the theory for caseless ammo sounds a lot better than the reality.
For instance, a cartridge case is one of the keys to a firearm’s function because the cartridge helps seal the chamber and prevent gasses from escaping too early.
Plus, the cartridge case contains the propellant and channels it in one direction down the barrel.
Without a casing, the chamber acts as the seal, leaving all the heat in the chamber.
These problems were too much to overcome, and caseless ammunition failed in concept.
Yet, like many ammo advancements, it’s one of those things that will always be on the back burner for some gun enthusiasts.
But a newer type of ammo that is catching on is called synthetic ammunition.
What is syntech ammo?:
Federal Ammunition is a well-respected ammo manufacturer. The company produces many different calibers of Syntech ammo.
Federal Syntech is ammo made with a polymer coating called a synthetic jacket.
The synthetic jacket takes the place of the usual copper jacket.
The Syntech coating helps reduce friction when exiting the barrel, reducing the heat in the barrel.
Benefits of syntech ammo:
One of the biggest benefits of the synthetic jacket is that it reduces metal contact and can prevent lead build-up in the barrel.
In turn, this can extend the life of the barrel.
The Syntech ammo is clean burning so it can reduce how often you need to clean your firearm.
In addition, since there is no copper jacket, it can minimize splashback from steel targets and there is less felt recoil.
Lastly, if you spend a ton of time shooting at indoor ranges there is the benefit of less lead vapors and even heavy metal build up in your body from lead rounds.
Drawbacks to syntech ammo:
One of the noticeable differences between traditional and synthetic ammo is the cost.
Synthetic ammo is more expensive, so if you do a lot of plinking or target shooting, it will add up quickly.
Also, synthetic ammo is only available in pistol calibers so rimfire and rifle shooters are out of luck.
Also, some shooters report that they have experienced feeding issues with the Syntech rounds, but it’s unclear if this was an issue with their weapon or the ammo.
So, as with any ammo, test it in your gun before you depend on it.
Federal Syntech ammo is unique and has its benefits.
But for the everyday shooter and self-defense pistol owner it’s not a “must have,” so it comes down to personal preference.
